Do you have fond memories of the CB 1000 “Big One” Honda sold several years ago, but wished it had more power and less weight? Well, your ship just came in (if you live in Europe, that is). Honda has announced at the Bologna Motorcycle Show the CB 1300 (pictured above, and elsewhere on this page). Inspired by the CB 1000, but essentially all new (with a much larger engine — now fuel injected, new chassis, etc.), the CB 1300 will do battle with Kawasaki’s ZRX 1200 and Suzuki’s monstrous GSX 1400 in the giant naked bike category.
At a claimed 493 pounds dry, the CB 1300 is 22 pounds lighter than the CB 1000, and at 1284cc (versus 998cc) has bags more torque. Although horsepower is limited to roughly 100 at the wheel, these bikes are about instant torque, everywhere.
Although retro in style, the CB 1300 is anything but retro in technology, with the latest fuel injection system from Honda (including the 12 hole nozzles featured on some of its recent sport bikes), electronic instruments, four piston front brake calipers (squeezing 310mm discs), beefy aluminum swingarm, 25mm shorter wheelbase (versus the old CB 1000), adjustable 43mm cartridge fork, adjustable twin shocks, five-spoke cast aluminum wheels and four-into-two-into-one stainless steel exhaust system. It even has an LED tail light system.
In short, if you long for the look and ergonomics of the old Japanese standards, here is yet another choice. Imagine this modern, liquid-cooled 1284cc engine derestricted. How about 140 horsepower at the wheel and 100 foot pounds of torque? Bring it on, baby!
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